Explore the Chesapeake with these 25 Can’t-Miss Ideas

Travel the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop, dip a paddle for some stand-up paddle-boarding, stop off for an only-in-Maryland Smith Island Cake, tour our iconic lighthouses, or just spend a day out on the water. The Chesapeake is America’s playground, so get out there and have fun! .

Find Your Groove during Maryland’s Summer of Music

The sounds of Maryland’s Summer of Music are sizzling with more funky, fantastic festivals bringing down the house all season, and July is no exception with three rockin’ festivals to choose from. First up is the Lake Arbor Jazz Festival in Mitchellville July 11-14. Then, it’s the Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival, now in its 20th year-- the festival has gone up to three days of great music and great food, July 12-14. Get the lowdown on all of the amazing Maryland Summer of Music festivals at our website and make plans to catch as much music as you can!

Artscape is Here!

As America’s largest free arts festival, bringing more than 350,000 people together, Artscape has become an integral part of the fabric of Baltimore. Walk streets alive with art, theater, food, and amazing music. This year’s lineup features English Beat, The Scotch Bonnets, and Reverend Smackmaster and The Congregation of Funk! Find out more at our Artscape homepage.

Get the Scoop on Where to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

When it comes to ice cream, Maryland is full of firsts. First ice cream on the continent? Check. Governor Thomas Bladen served up the sweet, creamy treat way back in 1744 (It was strawberry, if you’re wondering). First ice cream factory in the world? Check. A genius by the name of Jacob Fussell opened the world’s first ice cream factory in Baltimore in 1853, and we’re still leading the way with fun only-in-Maryland flavors, cow-to-cone creameries, and awesome mom-and-pop ice cream shops. Follow this link to get the low-down on everyone’s favorite sweet summer treat.

Take the Buy Local Challenge

Maryland farmers are challenging you to take the 2019 Buy Local Challenge July 20-28 buy adding one or two local, farm fresh items to ever meal. Buying local is good for you, good for the local economy, and good for the planet. Plus, you're supporting independent family farms which helps strengthen the economy. For great recipes, ideas for healthy delicious eating, and where to shop local, visit the Buy Local Challenge website.

Summer Means County Fairs

Roller coasters, deep-fried decadence, prized pigs and all the stuffed bears you can win — that must mean it’s county fair season. This month, the Allegany, Washington, Garrett, Carroll, Harford, Kent, Cecil and Somerset fairs are all on tap. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get out and explore the state, there’s no better way than taking them in, because even if you venture away from home base, you’ll always feel welcome at these amazing Maryland county fairs.

Reach the Beach for Water Wednesdays

When it comes to beaches, in Maryland, we are spoiled for choice. We’ve got Atlantic beaches in Ocean City and Assateague, where you can hit the waves. The Chesapeake shore is home to dozens of sandy spots to spend a day on the bay like Sandy Point State Park with its Bay Bridge views, Betterton Beach where the Sassafras hits the bay, and the swimming beach at Gunpowder State Park Hammerman Area in Baltimore County, to name just a few. You can even take a dip at mountain lake beaches like Rocky Gap and Deep Creek. Weekends draw big crowds at all these spots. That’s why you need to get out on Water Wednesday for a day of play! Use that day off you’ve been squirreling away and take a mid-week break at one of Maryland’s beautiful beaches.

Get Hooked on these July Fishing Tournaments

July is the perfect time for anglers, with opportunities to drop a line across the Old Line State, but if you want to test your mettle against the best, head over to our Maryland fishing tournaments page. Still to come this month, Ocean City hosts the Tuna Tournament, the Kid’s Classic and the HUK Big Fish Classic. For these and more, go to visitmaryland.org.

Enter to Win on Maryland Mondays!

Don’t miss your chance at free tickets for amazing events across the state. Every Monday on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the Maryland Office of Tourism is joining with our sponsors to give away great Maryland travel experiences. We call them Maryland Mondays, but you can enter all week. This week's contest is for tickets to Toby's Dinner Theatre and Bring It! Live: The Dance Battle Tour at the Modell Performing Arts Center. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to enter.